These are my favorites, both to build and play. Mostly they're used in Celtic music, but I like to play American fiddle tunes on them -- lots of fun!

There's no standard scale length, tuning, or nomenclature here. If it has a long scale length (about 25") and octave tuning on the lower courses, it's usually a"bouzouki". If it has a shorter scale length (about 22") and unison courses, it's an "octave mandolin". If it has 10 strings (normally but not necessarily short scale) it's a "cittern". Personally I don't like to play the long scale instruments because I'm a melody player, and the frets are too far apart for mandolin fingering. But the long scale gives a more complex, interesting sound.

Mandolas and mandocellos are in the "Mandolin Family" directory, not here.

My flat-top instruments listed have stood up for a couple of years and should be structurally sound.

All of them feature a bolt-on neck. This allows you, the user, to change the neck angle -- a task which normally requires a skilled technician, who must steam the neck joint to soften the glue. With the bolt-on neck, you can unbolt the neck yourself and change the angle of a shim to alter the neck angle.

AVAILABLE

	Number 169	A flat top bouzouki in curly maple with redwood top and maple trim. $2900
	Number 163	A 9-string long scale cittern or mandocello made of sycamore with Sitka spruce top. $3400
	Number 157	A basic bouzouki in mahogany with Sitka spruce top. $1800
	Number 154	A lattice-braced flat top bouzouki in sycamore and spruce. $2900
	Number 152	An octave mandolin in Indian rosewood and red spruce. $2800
	Number 145	A basic octave mandolin. $1950

GALLERY OF SOLD BOUZOUKIS

The bouzoukis, citterns and octave mandolins in this gallery are either already sold or not for sale, but the photos may give you an idea of the range of body styles and ornamentation available if you choose to have an instrument custom made.

Click to view gallery